Optical properties of human prostate at 732 nm measured in mediated photodynamic therapy

Characterization of the tissue light penetration in prostate photodynamic therapy (PDT) is important to plan the arrangement and weighting of light sources so that sufficient light fluence is delivered to the treatment volume. The optical properties (absorption [mu(a)], transport scattering [mu(s)'] and effective attenuation [mu(eff)] coefficients) of 13 patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer were measured in situ using interstitial isotropic detectors. Measurements were made at 732 nm before and after motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated PDT in four quadrants. Optical properties were derived by applying the diffusion theory to the fluence rates measured at several distances (0.5-5 cm) from a point source. mu(a) and mu(s)' varied between 0.07 and 1.62 cm(-1) (mean 0.37 +/- 0.24 cm(-1)) and 1.1 and 44 cm(-1) (mean 14 +/- 11 cm(-1)), respectively. mu(a) was proportional to the concentration of MLu measured by an ex vivo fluorescence assay. We have observed, on average, a reduction of the MLu concentration after PDT, presumably due to the PDT consumption of MLu. mu(eff) varied between 0.91 and 6.7 cm(-1) (mean 2.9 +/- 0.7 cm(-1)), corresponding to an optical penetration depth (delta = 1/micro(eff)) of 0.1-1.1 cm (mean 0.4 +/- 0.1 cm). The mean penetration depth at 732 nm in human prostate is at least two times smaller than that found in normal canine prostates, which can be explained by a four times increase of the mean value of mu(s)' in human prostates. The mean light fluence rate per unit source strength at 0.5 cm from a point source was 1.5 +/- 1.1 cm(-2), excluding situations when bleeding occurs. The total number of measurements was N = 121 for all mean quantities listed above. This study showed significant inter- and intraprostatic differences in the optical properties, suggesting that a real-time dosimetry measurement and feedback system for monitoring light fluences during treatment should be considered for future PDT studies.     

Potentiometric titration of milligram quantities of uranium in the presence of iron

A method is described for the potentiometric titration of milligram quantities of the uranium(IV) ion in the presence of iron. This is accomplished by complexing the iron with 1.10-phcnanthroline. The uranium can then be titrated with standard ceric sulfate without interference from the iron.     

Solvent-sensitive dyes to report protein conformational changes in living cells

Covalent attachment of solvent-sensitive fluorescent dyes to proteins is a powerful tool for studying protein conformational changes, ligand binding, or posttranslational modifications. We report here new merocyanine dyes that make possible the quantitation of such protein activities in individual living cells. The quantum yield of the new dyes is sharply dependent on solvent polarity or viscosity, enabling them to report changes in their protein environment. This is combined with other stringent requirements needed in a live cell imaging dye, including appropriate photophysical properties (excitation >590 nm, high fluorescence quantum yield, high extinction coefficient), good photostability, minimal aggregation in water, and excellent water solubility. The dyes were derivatized with iodoacetamide and succinimidyl ester side chains for site-selective covalent attachment to proteins. A novel biosensor of Cdc42 activation made with one of the new dyes showed a 3-fold increase in fluorescence intensity in response to GTP-binding by Cdc42. The dyes reported here should be useful in the preparation of live cell biosensors for a diverse range of protein activities.     

Proton affinity of β-oxalylaminoalanine (BOAA): Incorporation of direct entropy correction into the single-reference kinetic method

A new version of the single-reference-extended kinetic method is presented in which direct entropy correction is incorporated. Results of calibration experiments with the monodentate base pyridine and the bidentate base ethylenediamine are presented for which the method provides proton affinities in excellent agreement with published values and reasonable predictions for the protonation entropies. The method is then used to determine the proton affinity and protonation entropy of the non-protein amino acid beta-oxalylaminoalanine (BOAA). The PA of BOAA is found to be 933.1 +/- 7.8 kJ/mol and a prediction for the protonation entropy of -39 J mol(-1) K(-1) is also obtained, indicating a significant degree of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the protonated form. These results are supported by hybrid density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-31+G* level. They indicate that the preferred site of protonation is the alpha-nitrogen atom (PA = 935.0 kJ/mol) and that protonated BOAA has a strong hydrogen bond between the hydrogen on the alpha-amino group and one of the carbonyl oxygen atoms on the side chain.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 143. Li4P26 und Na4P26, die ersten Salze mit Hexacosaphosphid(4−)-Ionen

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 143. Li₄P₂₆ and Na₄P₂₆, the First Salts with Hexacosaphosphid(4?) Ions The hexacosaphosphides Li₄P₂₆ ( 1 ) and Na₄P₂₆ ( 2 ) are formed besides other polyphosphides in the reaction of white phosphorus with lithium dihydrogenphosphide or sodium. 1 also results from the decomposition of Li₂HP₇ in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature and can be obtained pure as a crystalline solvent adduct Li₄P₂₆ · 16 THF. According to 2D?³¹P-NMR spectroscopic investigations the P₂₆^4? ion is a conjucto-phosphane of two P₇(5)^?-and two P₉(3)^?-unit groups with structures analogous to norbornane and deltacyclane, respectively.     

Organometallic Compounds of the Lanthanoides. LXVI. Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of [O(CH2CH2C5H4)2Y(μ-OH]2 and (MeC5H4)3Ho(H2O), two unusual products of the hydrolysis of organolanthanoide compounds

The partial hydrolysis of [O(CH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂]Y(C₅H₄CH₃) 1 , [O(CH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂]Y(C₅H₅) 3 , and [O(CH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂]Ho(C₅H₄CH₃) 5 results in the formation of [O(CH₂CH₂CH₂C₅H₄)₂Y(μ-OH)₂]₂ 2 , (C₅H₅)₃Y(OH₂) 9 and (MeC₅H₄)₃Ho(OH₂) 11 . The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectra. The X-ray structural analyses shows 2 to be monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a = 1146.0(3), b= 1046.6(3), c = 1514.9(3) pm, β = 94.83(2)°. The molecular structure shows bridging hydroxyl groups with a mean distance Y? O = 223.8(3) pm. 11 crystallizes in the cubic space group 14 3d with a = 1847.9(3)pm with Z = 16 molecules per unit cell. The molecules posses symmetry C₃-3, the coordination is trigonal pyramidal with three methylcyclopentadienyl anions and one water molecule as ligands. The distance Ho? O is 231 pm.     

Direct observation of C2 hydrocarbon-oxygen complexes on Ag(110) with a variable-low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope

A variable-low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was used to observe oxygen (O2), ethylene (C2H4), and acetylene (C2H2) molecules on a Ag(110) surface and the various complexes that were formed between these two hydrocarbons and oxygen at 13 K. Ethylene molecule(s) were moved to the vicinity of O2 either by STM tunneling electrons at 13 K or thermally at 45 K to form (C2H4)x-O2 (x = 1-4) complexes stabilized by C-H...O hydrogen bonding. Acetylene-oxygen complexes involving one or two acetylene molecules were observed.     

Nachweis der Keimwirkung bei der katalytischen Goldreaktion

Zusammenfassung Eisen(II)sulfat reduziert in saurer Lösung Silbernitrat zu metallischem Silber; diese Reaktion wird durch Goldspuren katalysiert. Bei Abwesenheit von Trägerkeimen liegt die molare Grenzkonzentration für Gold bei etwa 10^–8, bei Gegenwart von Keimen dagegen bei 10^–11 bis 10^–12. Eine geregelte Keimzahl wird durch Zusatz kleinster Bariummengen erhalten, die eine an sich kaum wahrnehmbare Bariumsulfattrübung bilden. Zur praktischen Anwendung geeignet dürfte eine Abänderung der Reaktion sein, bei der als Reduktor Hydrazin in alkalischer, Tartrat und Ammoniak enthaltender Lösung benutzt wird.

---

Summary In acid solution, iron(II) sulfate reduces silver nitrate to metallic silver. This reaction is catalyzed by traces of gold. In the absence of carrier nuclei, the molar limiting concentration for gold is about 10^–8, but in the presence of nuclei this limit is 10^–11 to 10^–12. A controlled number of nuclei is obtained by adding very small amounts of barium, which produce a barely visible turbidity of barium sulfate. — For practical application, it may be possible to use a modified form of the reaction, in which the reductant is hydrazine acting in an alcaline solution containing tartrate and ammonia.

---

Résumé En solution acide le sulfate de fer (II) réduit le nitrate d'argent à l'état d'argent métallique; cette réaction est catalysée par des traces d'or. En l'absence des germes, la concentration limite pour l'or est environ 10^–8, mais en présence des germes cette limite est 10^–11 à 10^–12. On peut obtenir un nombre connu de germes par addition d'une très petite quantité de baryum qui produira un trouble àpeine visible dû au sulfate de baryum formé. En pratique on peut employer une forme de réaction différente, l'agent réducteur étant l'hydrazine agissant en milieu alcalin en présence de tartrate et d'ammoniaque.

     

Functional involvement of src and focal adhesion kinase in a CD99 splice variant-induced motility of human breast cancer cells

Earlier report showed that expression of a splice variant of CD99 transmembrane protein increases invasive ability of human breast cancer cells. Cell motility was also significantly enhanced by the CD99 splice variant expression. In an effort to identify the cellular components that mediate a signal transduction pathway triggered by the CD99 splice variant, known signal path inhibitors were examined for their effects on the motility of the CD99 splice variant-transfected MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Phenylarsine oxide, an inhibitor of phosphatase specific for focal adhesion kinase, and PP1, an inhibitor of src kinase family, significantly suppressed motility of the cells. Among different types of src transfectant clones generated, kinase-negative mutant src transfectant cells were 80% less motile than the mock cells transfected with an empty-vector, while v-src and c-src transfectants exhibited cell motility levels at or slightly above the mock transfectant. These results suggest that src and focal adhesion kinase mediate the intracellular signaling pathway of a CD99 splice variant for the induction of motility of human breast cancer cells.